Author: Rebecca Melnitsky

New York State Bar Association To Honor the Legacy of Long Island Lawyer Who Died Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Ariel Weinstock – who died a year after suffering a traumatic brain injury – will receive an attorney professionalism award from the New York State Bar Association. His father, Benjamin, the mayor of Cedarhurst, will accept the award on Ariel’s behalf at the association’s Annual Meeting in New York City. “I hope this award commemorating … Continued

New York State Bar Association Calls Governor’s Veto of Bill Lifting Ban on Jury Service for Felons Disappointing

Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s veto of S206B/A1432C, which lifted the ban on felons serving on a jury: “All New Yorkers deserve a chance at redemption. It is wrong to deny the rights of citizenship to felons who have paid their debts … Continued

NYSBA Praises Governor for Signing Law Requiring Social Media Companies To Disclose Hate Speech Moderation Policies

Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Kathy Hochul signing the Stop Hiding Hate Act (S895-B/A6789-B): “The Stop Hiding Hate Act will require social media companies to disclose what actions they are taking to put an end to the spread of hate on their … Continued

How Prosecutors Pursue Sex Traffickers and Help Victims

Sex trafficking in real life is different from sex trafficking in fiction. While the popular image is a victim forced into sex work through violence, the reality of these crimes is more complex. And prosecutors are accounting for that reality. A recent Continuing Legal Education class covered recent trafficking cases, including charges against celebrity Sean … Continued

International Human Rights Experts To Discuss Justice for Sexual Violence Victims at the 2025 Presidential Summit

Wartime sexual violence and human trafficking bring tremendous anguish to victims, but laws are rarely enforced, and perpetrators are rarely punished. The New York State Bar Association will amplify efforts to support survivors and pursue justice for victims in its upcoming Presidential Summit. “Human traffickers often take their victims across borders, making it difficult to … Continued

Implicit Bias: Why People Believe Information That Is Wrong

How do unconscious, pre-existing beliefs shape and limit our decisions? How can lawyers break out of such mindsets to better serve their clients? In a recent Continuing Legal Education course hosted by the New York State Bar Association, presenter Claude Ducloux tackled these questions and more in a discussion of implicit bias. Ducloux is an … Continued

New York State Bar Association Honors Westchester Attorney for Promoting Diversity in the Legal Profession

Jacqueline Hattar was presented with the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award in a virtual ceremony on Oct. 9. Hattar, a partner at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, advises individuals, small businesses, and property owners on tort liability, wrongful death, construction accidents and labor law matters. She has spearheaded diversity efforts at her firm including … Continued